Business Studies

Business Studies provides a valuable insight into all aspects of the business world. It is an exciting and interesting subject which can help you to understand the world in which we live.

Business studies and Personal finance are taught as part of the Key Stage 3 curriculum mainly through Maths in year 7, and ICT in years 8 and 9 but all curriculum areas support the delivery of this subject.

Financial Studies

Managing money is a necessary part of life and the College believes it should be an essential part of education too. We deliver the financial studies qualification administered by IFS School of Finance which has developed a comprehensive financial capability package for 14-19 year olds. Their website is www.ifslearning.ac.uk.

Students have access to their own area on the IFS learning website at www.myifslearning.com/ Lessons combine case studies, encouraging discussion and working with others, use of videos, role-plays, ICT and traditional teaching. Students can access e-quizzes to test their knowledge about each topic. The course is structured into two levels - Foundation and Intermediate. The content for the two levels is similar so that materials covered at foundation are then revised during the intermediate lessons. The topics are listed in the table below.

Students can resit an exam if they do not pass first time. They only get one resit. Students that pass at any level cannot resit.

Students can take part in an investor challenge. They will receive £100,000 to invest in the stock market and then follow their fortunes as the real stock market changes. The winner of the competition gets to go to New York with their team and their teacher!

Each year the financial studies department runs a trip to London which includes a visit to Lloyds of London.

In year 10 students can choose to take Business Studies as one of their options. Lessons combine case studies, encouraging discussion and working with others, use of videos, role-plays, ICT and traditional teaching. Each year the Business studies department run a variety of trips including visits to Mole Valley in South Molton and Witheridge.

Students who take Business Studies use their enterprise skills to run small businesses selling personalised products or services to students, parents, teachers and the community. They also help to run a school disco once a year to help raise money for their business start-up fees to enable them to buy resources.

Computer Applications in the Business Environment

The Business Studies course is the Business and Communications Systems, administered by AQA. It is assessed through two exams: A one and half hour practical assessment and a controlled assessment. The details about the course can be found here.